ABSTRACT
Observing the nutritional status of patients involves a number of specific assessments that together will give insight into the dietary needs of the patient. Nutritional assessment often starts with the diet, which is especially important on admission. Information on nutritional status should be ascertained from what the patient and relatives say about the patient's eating habits at home, and whether or not they have been eating a balanced diet. This phrase means a diet containing all the necessary daily portions of protein, carbohydrate, fats, fluids and fibre. Assessment of the nutritional status of the hospitalised patient should specifically consider the possibility that they may be lacking protein. Anorexia and bulimia are two eating disorders that often result in nutritional problems. Anorexia is a failure to consume adequate nutrients, seen most often in young women. There are also some muscle-wasting diseases, including those that cause a loss of the nerve control of muscles (neurological disorders).
